The global vaccine industry was valued at $24.4 billion in 2007 and is expected to reach $52.1 billion in 2016, at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.5%. The vaccine market, which was once considered a low-profit segment of the top players’ portfolios, showed a turnaround after the resounding success of Prevnar, the first blockbuster vaccine. The ability of vaccines to generate high revenues and profits due to premium pricing has proven attractive to both existing players in the market and to big pharmaceutical companies, who have been watching the development of the market with interest.

GBI Research found that changes in strategy by the major pharma companies has been the leading cause of termination for top deals in the period of January 2010 to June 2011, accounting for 60% of the total deals terminated in that period. Other causes of deal terminations were negative results in safety or efficacy testing, delays in drug development, and disagreements between licensor and licensee, accounting for 25%, 10% and 5% of the total deals terminated. Mergers and acquisitions, and review of pipeline products by big pharma companies lead to changes in their strategies and sometimes to decisions to terminate licensing agreements.